The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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inside michigan athletics the school will never be duplicated, and most importantly, I consider him a true friend. Jon has the love and respect of all current and former Wolverines and he will be missed." Falk has garnered 17 Big Ten championship rings in his seasons at Michigan. He's been to 14 Rose Bowls with the Wolverines and 36 bowls altogether, with a 37th nearly assured in his 40th and final year as Michigan's equipment manager. "I remember the day that Bo Schembechler interviewed me and said that working at the University of Michigan would present great opportunities for my career," Falk recalled. "He offered me the position, but I decided that staying home to care for my mom and grandmother was more important. My mom woke up at 4 a.m. and came to me with tears in her eyes and said, 'Jon, you are going to Michigan. Bo and the University of Michigan are going to take care of you and this will be a great career move.' "As I reflect on my nearly 40 years at Michigan, I have been fortunate to work with some great coaches, administrators and thousands of players. After talking with Dave Brandon about my retirement, I realized that Bo and my mother were right. Dave and Michigan have taken care of me. I'm appreciative of all that I learned, was a part of and contributed to at Michigan. This is a special place and I will always love Michigan and Michigan football." Falk has written a book about his time at Michigan, entitled If These Walls Could Talk, and could probably fill several more volumes with his tales about Schembechler, Lloyd Carr and the host of Michigan personalities he's encountered over the years. Coaches past and present chimed in to salute him on his impending retirement. Michigan's present head coach, though, noted he still has a job to do. "Jon has given so much of his life to Michigan football, and we are Meijer mania August 30 9pm-1am • Free food, samples, prizes, 3145 Saline Road contests and much more! Ann Arbor, MI • Free on-campus bus service directly to the store! • Deals to deck out your room! Exclusively for University of Michigan Students UM_AnnArbor-Wolverine_3rdPg_Ad_4.75x4.75.indd 1 7/29/13 9:27 AM